The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has witnessed several protests in recent weeks after its administrators has attempted to introduce sever...
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has witnessed several protests in recent weeks after its administrators has attempted to introduce several new initiatives, among which is the Draft Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation, 2021, that imposes a minimum punishment of seven years in jail for selling or buying beef products.
This has caused consternation in the Muslim-majority archipelago, where beef is an important source of nutrition.
This was only the latest instance in which the issue of cattle slaughter has made headlines. It is an emotional issue for those people who regard the cow as sacred.
History of cow protection
Indian lawmakers have long grappled with the issue of whether the state should make provisions for cow protection – and to what extent. Even before Independence, some legislators and advocates of cow protection wanted to bring a legal ban on cow slaughter. But their proposals and petitions remained unmet due to the purported policy of the colonial government of remaining neutral in religious affairs.
The establishment of the Constituent Assembly in December 1946 to frame a Constitution for the new nation and freedom from British rule the next year made this aspiration seem achievable.
When the Constitution-making process began, Mohandas Gandhi and many top leaders received letters and telegrams bearing requests...
